Polishing-machine



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A. JOHNSTON. POLISHING MACHINE.

No. 536,631. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

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No. 536,631 Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

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POLISHING MACHINE.

No. 536,631. Patented Apr. 2,1895.

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A. JOHNSTON. POLISHING MACHINE.

No. 536,631. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

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NITED STATES ALLEN JOHNSTON, OF OTTUMWA, IOWA.

POLISHING -MACH|NE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,631, dated April 2, 1 895.

Application filed April 18, 1894.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN JOHNSTON, of Ottumwa, county of Wapello, State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Polishing-Machine's, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention has reference to machines for polishing metal surfaces, and particularly knife-blades.

Although the principle and broad features of the invention herein described are applicable to polishing machines of various types, I have for convenience, herein described and illustrated the application thereof to a machine for polishing knife blades, to which however, it is to be understood I do not limit my invention.

In the finishing ofknife-blades, such as ta-' ble cutlery for example, the next step succeeding the grinding, is the polishing operation. In the highest grades of cutlery a very high polish is required. Ordinarily the production of such a polish requires the employment of skilled and experienced workmen, the exercise-of great care being necessary in order that ridges, unevenness, or irregularity in the polished surface be avoided and that a thoroughly symmetrical'polish be-produced. In accomplishing such a result it is also essential that the contour already imparted to the faces of the blade (which usually is slightly convex and diminishes in thickness toward the point) he followed. These consiglerations add to the care required in performing the polishing operation.

According to my invention the polising material, which may be oil-stone, grind-stone, blocks formed of pulverized emery and a binding material, or analogous substances, accord ing to the requirements of the particular case, is formed into a block, preferably square, which will be hereinafter designated by the general term polishing block. The polishing block and surface of the blade are held in contact by yielding pressure (preferably a spring) and in the case of a table-knife, make four distinct movements with reference to each other, viz: fir-st, a reciprocating move-' or vice versa; second,- a rocking motion of the polishing block inthe'direction of reciproca- Serial No. 507,987. (No model.)

.one direction and back to its original position during the succeeding reciprocation thereof in the opposite direction) facilitates the passage of the polishing block along the blade and allows it more readily to accommodate itself to any curves or irregularities upon, and to the varying thickness of, the surface being polished. ,The most important feature of this movement is that-it permits a narrow polishing surface to be presented to the knife or article being polished,said polishing surface being worn to a convexity, which is dependent upon the extent of such movement. Metal cuttings and other impurities tend to accumulate upon a wide polishing surface, whereas with a narrow surface such foreign materials are washed away, leaving the polishing surface clean and increasing its cutting properties. Less pressure is also required with a narrow surface.

The third motionof the polishing block, in a direction transverse to the lineof reciprocation, is accomplished to a very limited extent at each reciprocation of the blade, the full movement being completed in a large number of reciprocations (say about fifty or sixty). This movement is necessary in order to reach all of the points of the convex surface of the blade.

To prevent grooves from being worn in the surface polished by any inherent irregularities or defects in the structure of the polishing block, and a continued reciprocating movement inthe same line, I provide the fourth movement above referred to, which is very slight, the polishing block being shifted transversely from one extreme position to the other in a very large number of reciprocations (say about two hundred and fifty). The first or reciprocating movemenfiwhich is essent-ial,may be combined with any one or more of the remaining three, as desired, but the best results can be attained by combining all four movements in the same machine.

My invention also embraces a machine capable of simultaneously subjecting a number of knives to the finishing effect of the polishing blocks, which are arrangedin pairs orsets, one pair foreach knife. The blocks of the respective pairs operate upon opposite faces of the blades, so that no removal or turning -is required before the completion'of the operation. The four movements before referred to are produced automatically, and the machine after being once properly adjusted and regulated, according to the character of the blade to be polished, requires no further attention on the part of the attendant until the operation is completed. Thepolishingblocksconstituting each pair, and the corresponding blocks of the several pairs are so connected that all of the blocks move synchronously and to an equal extent, which insures alike polish on the blade of every knife and on the two sides of each blade. i

The principle of the invention, as wellas the form of. mechanism in which I prefer to embody it, and which has been found successful in practical operatiomwill befully understood and appreciated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in wl1iche,

Figure 1, is aperspective view of one of the T-shaped polishing-block holders. an elevation (partly in section) showing the relative position of apair of polishingblocks and the knifeat the beginning of the recipro eating movement, also indicating in dotted lines several positions which the blocks are caused to assume by the rocking movement in the line of reciprocation (the second movement before mentioned). Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are views somewhat similar to Fig. 2 showingseveral positions assumed by the blocks and knife-blade during the third movement, 2', e., the movement across the line of reciprocation, and also indicating in dotted lines, Figs. 3 and 5, the extreme positions whichthe blocks are caused to assumeby the fourth or shifting movement. Fig. 6, is a top plan view of a polishing machine embodying my invention, having two sections of polishing blocks, one at each side of the machine. Fig. 7,is a front elevation, parts being broken away and shown in section. Fig. 8, isatransverse section on line VIIIVIII, Fig. '7, only one polishing blockin each section being shown for sake of clearness. Fig. 9, is a section on the line IX-JX, Fig.8. Fig. 10, is a vertical section of a portion of the machineonlineX-X, Fig.6. Fig. 11 is asection on line Xl-XI, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a section on line XIIXII of Fig. 11, the way,in which the slides operate, being also shown. Fig. 13, is a section on line XIII-Kill Fig.6, and Fig. 14: is a plan view of aportion of the bed-plate and other parts, the polishing block holders being omitted. H

Referring to the drawings l will first describe the mechanism for holding and reciprocating the knives.

Fig. 2, is

mentin the line of reciprocation.

. A represents theframe of the machine, preferably of a skeleton character. At the side of the frame is a reciprocating workholder B, pivoted at b, 12, carrying the knifeclamps secured to a guard plate I) on the vork-holder The latter is reciprocated by an eccentric D through a pitman D, adjustably secured to the work-holder by a bolt 61 working in a slot d The eccentric D is carried by a sleeve D on the main shaft E, with which the sleeve may be engaged and disengaged by any suitable clutch mechanism F. The knife-clamps. each comprise a plate G bent upwardly at its ends, said upward extensions having each a recess a in which the handle of the blade fits, the handle resting upon a spring 0' on thebottom of said plate. A

lever cihaving a clamping arm 0? is pivoted on the plate. YVhen the knifehas been placed in position, the clamping arm pressing against firmly in place, and the lever springinginto a notch 0 looks the parts in position. The function of the spring c'is to permit the knife torockslightly in its holder as the latter. is

recip idcated, so that the blade is reciprocated between theipolishing blocks in a substantially horizontal position. These knife-clamps are placed at intervals along theguard-plate b" opposite the pairsof polishing blocks.

The mechanism above described constitutesthemeans for producing the first or re in 'e at gm vem t- Each of the polishing"block-holders is of a T-shape, formed with a square socket at the intersection oflever Hand arms 71. and h. A portion of the socket is formed by a removable cap 7L securedin place to clamp the polishing block i inthe socket by. screws 71.3. The arms 7?. and h are provided at their outer extremities with a knobh and an open hook h respectively, for purposes hereinafter described. At the end of lever H is formed a circular enlargement hf, an opening 72.7 therethrough beingflared from the middle toward its ends, permitting-a rocking movement of the arm H on a pin passing through the opening. These block-holders are arranged in pairs, the lever H of one holder of each pair being longer than the corresponding lever of its associate holder. (See Fig.2.) On the undersideof the lever 1 near the socket is a depending plate and step h which makes con tact with thesupport f or the holder.

Referring, particularly to Figs. 6, 8, 9, 10 and 12 I will describe in detail the mechanism, for. producing the second, or rocking move- As the mechanismfor operating each pair of blockholders is the same I will only describe such mechanism with reference to one pair. At the upper part of the main frame Aand extending the length thereof, is atrough-shaped way J, havingarms .1 extending forwardly from the under sidethereof and connecting with a rail J runningalong the front of the machine. In

this rail, in front of the sets of polishing blocks the top edge of the handle holds. the latter are adjustable pins j held by set-screwsj', upon which the knife blades rest and along which they slide during the reciprocating movement. In the way J are two slides or bars K, K placed side by side, and each carrying an upwardly projeeting'pin 7a, 7.9 respectively. The block-holders, constituting a pair, are so arranged as to bring their polishing surfaces face to face, the openings h in the levers H receiving pins 7c and 7c, the longer lever of the pair overreaching the slide K. Fitting over a stud Z on the under side of way J is a coil spring Z, held in place by a bolt and washer. The ends of the spring are crossed and engage in the hooks h", h of the depending arms h, h of the pair of block-holders, the force exerted by the tension of the spring tending to force the polishing surfaces toward each other with a yielding pressure. The adjacent edges of the slides K and K at one end thereof are cut away to constitute a recess m between the same (see Fig. 11), transverse grooves m an being also formed in the upper faces thereof at about the middle of said recess. 7

On the frame A at one end thereof, is adepending bearing N, and an upwardly extending bracket O. A step 0 extends along the inner faces of the ends of the frame, above the bearing N upon which the extremities of the way J are supported, the ends of the slides K and K, between which the recess m is formed, projecting beyond said way and above the bearing N. A vertical shaft P passes upwardly through said bearing, and recess m and bears atits upper end in an opening in bracket 0. On said shaft between the slides Kand K and the bracket is a sleevep carrying a plate p which overhangs the slides K and K, and has on it's under face depending pins 19 which engage in the transverse grooves m, m in the extremities of the slides. At the lower end of shaft P is a crankarm P to which motion is communicated from the reciprocating work-holder B by a connecting rod P Thus it will be seen that as the knife is reciprocated forwardly and the shaft P rotated, the pins 10 ,19 sliding in grooves m m move the slides K and K in opposite directions, separating the ends of arms H, H connected therewith, and hence producing the second or rocking movementalong the line of reciprocation. During the forward movement of the knife the polishing blocks are rocked from the positions shown in fulllines at the left ofFig. 2 to the positions indicated in dotted lines at the right of said figure. Upon the reciprocation of the work-holder in the opposite direction, the rotation of the shaft P, movement of slides K and Kand hence the rocking movement of the polishing blocks is reversed.

The third or rocking movement transversely to the line of reciprocation, it will be remembered, is preferably and for the best results produced to a very slight extent at each reciprocation, the approximate number of reciprocations required to complete this movement across the blade being about fifty or sixty. I will now describe the mechanism for producing such movement.

Across the side of the machine, and located in the rear ofthe arm's h of the holders, are two bars R, R arranged one above the other in sliding contact, and supported and held at their ends'in recesses r, by blocks 7'. At one end of the machine the bars R and R project beyond the frame and have on their inner faceslugs r and r respectively. On the front faces of the bars are inclined ears 8 and 3 respectively, making sliding contact with knobs h at the extremities of the arms h of the holders. These cars which are omitted from Fig.

6 (to prevent confusion and in order that the parts below the same can be seen) but which are clearly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 are so disposed that uponthe movement of the bars R and R in opposite directions the arms h, of a pair of the block holders, will be caused to approach each other against the tension of the spring Z, or retreat from each other under the pressure of said springs, according to the direction in which the bars are moved. Bearing in the bracket 0 near the upper end of shaft P is a short horizontal shaftT carrying a ratchet wheel T at the outer side of the bracket and a pinion T at the inner side. A lever U is fulcrumed on the shaft T adjacent to the wheel T and carries at its upper extremity a pawl to engaging the teeth of the ratchet-wheel. At its lower end the lever is in the path of an extension 19 on the crankarm 19 and is thereby rocked to slightly rotate wheel T at every reciprocation of the workholder. The width of the rim t of the ratchet wheel gradually increases from a narrow part at one side of said wheel to a wide part at the diametrically opposite side thereof. This rim engages between the lugs r and Won the bars R and R pushing said lugs apart and hence moving the slides in opposite directions as the wheel rotates and the width of the rim increases. After the widest portion of the rim has passed between the lugs the springs Z acting through the arms hand h of the holders, reverse the movement of the bars, holding the lugs in contact withthe rim of the wheel until its narrowest point is reached. This movement of the slides K and K in co-operation with the force of the spring Z produces a rocking movement of the arms H on the pins Z0 and 7e and hence the changing of the relative positions of the polishing block and the knife blade, asillustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, as the polishing operation proceeds.

Fourth and lastly is the shifting movement of the blocks transversely to the line of reciprocation, which is attained by the following mechanism, attention beingcalled to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 14. V is a frame formed of two parallel rails o,

0' connected at intervals by cross-bars '0 The rail 1) is formed along its lower face with an angularfulcrum ridge which rests upon the arms J near the trough-shaped way .T, and upon which said frame is tipped. The fulcrum ridge at the extreme ends of the frame V rests upon a bracket 00 which is supported by the step 0 in frontof the trough shaped way J, as shown at the left of Fig. 7. The railo of said frame supports the forward ends of the block holders at a point in the rear of the sockets. At one end of the frame is an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm r Meshing with and receiving motion from pinion T is a gear wheel V having on one face an eccentrically arranged ridge 1. which makes contact with and moves the arm v hence tipping the frameVand raising or lowering the block-holders as the said wheel is rotated.

To permit the ready separation of the polishing blocks constituting each pair, to facilitate the inserting of the blade between the same,aud for analogous purposes, I provide means for removing the pressure of the springs Z from the arms h, as follows: Beneath the arms J and springs Z are two slides W, IV supported in brackets on the frame. These slides are provided with pins w, w respectively, preferably in the form of screws, extending up between the crossed ends of the springs. These slides are moved in opposite directions by mechanism similar to that used for reciprocating the slides K, K consisting of an upright shaft W bearing in the frame, rotated by a suitable hand lever W and having depending pins 00 on its lower end engaging in transverse grooves in the ends of slides W WV. Upon the movement of said slides the pins w w force the ends of the springs apart, relieving the polishing blocks of the pressure of the same.

A suitable quantity of oil or water (depending on what kind of polishing blocks are employed) should be fed over the work while being polished to keep it andthe blocks clean and in working condition; otherwise the polishing surface becomes clogged upso as to greatly impair its cutting properties.

A suitable trough Y for catching dust, dirt, &c., is placed beneaththe mechanism at each side ofthe machine.

As a detailed description of the operation of the machine would embrace mainly a repetition of what has already been stated, from which a full and comprehensive understanding can be attained, it is deemed unnecessary to prolong this specification by the addition of such matter. I would observe however, that the four movements of the polishing blocks herein referred to are preferably concurrent, i. e., the blocks partake of all of the movements at the same time, although some of the movements may take place successively. It will also be understood that some movements may be omitted or that two or more of them may be combined as the circumstances may permit or require, all such arrangements coming equally within the principle and scope of the invention.

What I claim is- 1. In a polishing machine, the combination with the reciprocatory worlcholder, of the polishing-block and its holder, and means for rocking the block-holder in the line of reciprocation of the work-holder, substantially as described.

2. In a polishing machine, the combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block, a holder therefor, pressing the block against the work by yielding pressure, said holder being pivoted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation and means for rocking the block-holder during the reciprocations of the work-holder, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for polishing knivesand similar articles having a transversely curved surface, the combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block, a block-holder mounted to rock transversely to the line of reciprocatiomand means for imparting to the block-holder such transverse rocking movement while the work reciprocates, substantially as described.

4. In a polishing machine, the combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of the polishing block, a block-holder mounted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation and also in a transverse direction, and meansfor imparting to the block-holder rocking movements in both,

these directions, substantially as described.

5. In a polishing machine, the combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block, a block-holder mounted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation as well as transversely thereto, means for imparting to the block-holder one oscillation to each reciprocation, and a partial oscillation in a transverse direction to each reciprocation, substantially as described.

6. In a polishing machine, the combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block, a block-holder mounted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation, and also in a direction transverse thereto, a spring for pressing the polishing block against the work, and means for rocking the block-holder in the line of reciprocation and transversely thereto, substantially as described.

7. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block a blockholder therefor, means for rocking the latter in the line of reciprocation, and means for shifting the block-holder transversely to the line of reciprocation, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block a blockholder therefor mounted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation as well as transversely thereto, and a support for the block-holder movable parallel to the plane of the work and transversely to the line of its reciprocation, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the reciprocatory IIO work-holder, of polishing blocks a pair of block-holders therefor, a spring pressing the two holders together, and means for rocking the holders in the line of reciprocation of the work-holders, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of polishing blocks a pair of block-holders therefor mounted to oscillate in the line of reciprocation and also in a transverse direction, means for imparting to the block holders rocking movements in both these directions, and a spring for pressing the two holders together, substantially as described.

11. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder of a pair of block-holders carrying polishing blocks having their polishing surfaces arranged 'face to face and means for rocking the holders in opposite directions with reference to each other along the line of reciprocation, substantially as described.

12. The combinationwith the reciprocatory work-holder of a pair of block-holders carrying polishing blocks having their polishing surfaces arranged face to face, and means for rocking the holders in opposite directions transversely to the line of reciprocation, substantially as described.

13. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder of a pair of block-holders carrying polishing blocks having their polishing surfaces arranged face to face, and means for rocking the holders in opposite directions with reference to each other both in and transversely to the line of reciprocation, substantially as described.

14. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder of a block holder carrying at one end the polishing block, held against the work by a yielding pressure, and means for moving the other end of said block-holder in opposite directions, substantially as described.

15. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder of a pair of block-holders carrying the polishing blocks at one end thereof, said blocks being pressed together by yielding pressure, and slides reciprocating in 0pposite directions, to which the other ends of said holders are connected,substantially as described.

16. The combination with a pair of blockholders having oppositely extending arms, of a spring engaging a corresponding arm on each holder and means for moving the other arms toward each other, substantially as described.

17. In a machine for polishing knife-blades and other articles, the combination with a reciprocatory work-holder of a pair of polishing blocks, block-holders pivotally connected atone end to oppositely movable slides and each carrying at its other end oppositely extending arms, a spring engaging corresponding arms on each holder for pressing the holders. together with a yielding pressure, and reciprocating slides for moving the other arms toward each other, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block, a blockholder, a frame upon one edge of which said holder rests, and means for rocking said frame upon a fulcrum at its other edge, for shifting the block-holder transversely to the line of reciprocation, substantially as described.

19. The combination with the reciprocatory work-holder, of a polishing block a block holder, a spring for pressing said holder against the work and means for removing the pressure of said spring from the holder, substantially as described.

20. The combination with polishing blocks and a pair of block-holders, of a spring the ends of which engage arms on said holders for pressing the same together and means for relieving the arms of the pressure of the spring, substantially as described.

21. In a machine for polishing knife blades and other articles the combination with a reciprocatory work-holder of polishing blocks a series of block-holders arranged in pairs, two slides to each of which one end of a corresponding holder of each pair is pivotally connected, and means for reciprocating said.

slides in opposite directions, substantially as described.

22. In a machine for polishing knife blades and other articles the combination with reciprocatory work-holders, of a series of polishin g blocks block-holders arranged in pairs,

each holder having two arms thereon extending in opposite directions, a spring for each pair pressing the arms on one side of the holders, constituting each pair, together with a yielding pressure, two bars each connected with a corresponding arm of each pair, for pressing the other arms of said pairs together against the tension of the springs, and means for reciprocating said bars in opposite directions, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALLEN JOHNSTON.

Witnesses J. T. HAOKWORTH, GEO. F. HALL.

IIO 

